What Is an Exhaust Manifold Leak?
An exhaust manifold leak is not a critical problem with a car’s exhaust, but can cause some issues. Generally speaking, a car should not have any exhaust manifold leaks for optimal performance.What is a Manifold Leak?A manifold leak occurs when there is a gap between the exhaust manifold (where spent gases exit the motor and are routed to the exhaust) and the head of an engine.Problems From a Manifold LeakA manifold leak can result in less horsepower from your engine, since the vacuum system is not working properly. Think of the motor as a giant air pump. Any air that is being released at the wrong place or time can result in a loss of performance. Manifold leaks can also create loud, unusual noises as the air escapes from between the manifold and head.How to Diagnose a LeakTo determine if you have an exhaust leak, listen closely around the manifold and head for excess exhaust noise while the car is running.
An exhaust manifold of an internal combustion engine is the very first component bolted directly to the engine. The manifold then attaches to the front exhaust pipe, which in turn attaches to other pipes, a catalytic converter and, eventually, the muffler and tailpipe of the vehicle. Function The exhaust manifold bridges the gap between the engine block and the front exhaust pipe or catalytic converter. Bolted tightly to the engine with a gasket in between the manifold and the engine block, the engine’s exhaust dispenses spent fuel and air into the manifold at an extremely high temperature. From there, the exhaust purges its way downstream through the remaining exhaust system and out the tailpipe. The manifold has to be made of an enduring metal such as cast iron to handle the temperature of the engine’s exhaust out of the block. In later-model cars that have weight restrictions, it is not uncommon to find lighter weight manifolds that can crack more easily under the stress of heating
